“The Naked Emperor”

"The Naked Emperor"
“The Naked Emperor” — “The Naked Emperor,” by Edward von Lõngus, on an Aberdeen wall.

I photographed this version of “The Naked Emperor” in Aberdeen, Scotland, but I understand that the figure is found in many European cities. The artist signs his work, “Edward von Lõngus,”which I understand is a pseudonym meant to hide his real identity, in the Banksy tradition. I made the photograph along a very old, narrow street in an area of Aberdeen where there is a lot of other street art.

Continue reading “The Naked Emperor”

Marsco and Waterfall

Marsco and Waterfall
“Marsco and Waterfall” — The peak of Marsco towers over a waterfall, Eas a’ Bhradain, Isle of Skye.

In case you haven’t heard, it is wet in Scotland. I knew this, having been there before, but coming from the relatively dry California climate, it is still quite a contrast. One thing that still takes me by surprise at first is the size of the streams and rivers that rise over short distances — and that they are everywhere. We stopped and photographed this roadside cascade as we were departing Skye to head north.

Continue reading Marsco and Waterfall

Back-Scratching Hairy Coo Calf

Back-Scratching Hairy Coo Calf
“A young Scottish “Back-Scratching Hairy Coo Calf” — highlands “hairy coo” uses its horn to scratch its back.

Like the brochures say, no visit to Scotland is complete without seeing the hairy highland “coos.” While coos (or, in American English, “cows”) are not my usual subject, the critters were there and I had a camera, so I made some photographs. In this case, a small herd was right next to the road north of Portree, so we paused on our daylong route out and around the end of the island to view them.

Continue reading Back-Scratching Hairy Coo Calf

Netherkirkgate

Netherkirkgate
“Netherkirkgate” — Aman on a ladder in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Our recent travels to the British Isles began (aside from a very brief stopover in London) with a lengthy visit to Skye and the northwest of Scotland. After that first adventure we returned to Inverness and took a train to Aberdeen for a few days. After more than a week in the wild open spaces of northwest Scotland, returning to this urban setting was quite a contrast!

Continue reading Netherkirkgate

Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.